Blog Archive

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Samsung UN55C6400 55" Class 1080p LED HDTV 2010 Model Internet Ready

Discover a picture that's visually stunning with the C6400 LED backlit TV. The 6400 features Samsung Auto Motion Plus 120Hz which virtually eliminates all motion blur so your 1080p high definition picture is remarkably sharp. Add a 4,000,000:1 Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio and you're ready to step into seriously mind-blowing home entertainment.

Amazon Sales Rank: #98096 in Consumer Electronics Brand: Samsung Dimensions: 50.60" h x 12.00" w x 32.80" l, 55.30 pounds Display size: 55 Web applications enabled Sync media from multiple devices with AllShare LED Picture Quality, reduces blur with Auto Motion Plus 120Hz Samsung Auto Motion Plus 120Hz Images pop with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio

Most helpful customer reviews 35 of 36 people found the following review helpful. Samsung C6400/C6300 vs Samsung C6900/C6800 vs Bravia EX710/EX711 By Matt P I spent weeks researching and testing various LCD/LED flat screens. In the end I purchased the Samsung 55 inch C6400. The C6400 model is the same screen as the C6300 model except the C6400 has Samsung's built-in internet apps whereas the C6300 does not. In the process, I purchased two Samsungs (C6400 and C6900) and one Sony Bravia (EX711). Here is what I learned: * All of the review websites "calibrate" their screens before performing a review. During calibration the screen's default settings are changed to supposedly make them more accurate. Nifty features that are built into the screen like "Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio" are frequently disabled during calibration because they can affect the accuracy of the image. In my opinion, if a nifty feature in your television can make it appear brighter or more colorful, go for it. Color accuracy is overrated. What matters is whether *you* like the picture or not. * Edge-lit screens like the Samsungs and Bravia I reviewed are thinner, lighter, and more eco-friendly than the full-array screens. In theory full-array screens give better contrast ratios, and require less picture manipulation to achieve said contrast ratios. To my untrained eyes, it's hard to see a difference. * Dynamic edge-lit on the C6900 sounds like a good idea, but in my testing it created some weird affects that my wife, in particular, didn't care for where some parts of a dark image were pitch black and other parts of the same dark image were a brighter black, giving the appearance that someone turned on a spotlight down part of the screen. * The blacks were darker on the C6400 than the C6900. Go figure. * Edge-lit screens tend to hide the speakers on the back of the set. This produces a "reflected" sound that is decent, but not the best. We planned to purchase a theater system with our television so this didn't really matter to us. * The Samsungs and Bravia screens came with a swivel stand. This was important for our living room set up. * None of the Samsungs supported HDMI Auto Return Channel. Without ARC I have to power on the screen *and* the theater system to watch video from external devices like a blue ray player or game console. Not a big deal but it occasionally frustrates. The Bravia fully supported HDMI Audio Return Channel. * When using motion blur reduction, the Samsungs have A/V sync issues in combination with our theater system. I have addressed this by increasing the audio delay in our theater system. It's not exactly perfect but it gets lip sync close enough that no one (except myself of course) ever notices it. * All of the Samsung screens exhibited corner lighting and flashlighting to some degree. Each Samsung screen was slightly different. To see this, put the screen in Movie mode and view a uniform dark image in a pitch black room. You should see that the screen is slightly brighter in the corners and certain areas of the screen are also brighter (flashlighting). At first this really bothered me, but then I got used to it. There's simply no way you're going to notice this where it matters most: where the movie picture is playing. You'll only ever see it in a darkened room between scenes and around the edges where the movie isn't playing. * Amazingly the Bravia didn't have *any* corner lighting or flashlighting. I don't know how Sony pulled that off, but I was impressed. Samsung should license Sony's edge lighting technology. * The Samsungs all have a reflective screen which produces a really sharp and bright image that seems to pop off the screen. The Bravia uses a matte screen. I was baffled to observe that the Samsungs all handled reflections much better than the Bravia. There is a window directly behind our viewing sofa. With the Samsungs you were hard pressed to even see a reflection at all during daytime viewing. With the Bravia, the

Friday, October 28, 2011

Sony BRAVIA EX308-Series KDL-32EX308 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV, Black

Experience HD picture quality, incredible contrast and a sharp, vibrant, life-like picture in a compact design with the Sony BRAVIA EX308-Series HDTV. Connect to the internet and instantly stream a wide variety of movies, TV shows, videos and music from Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker and more. Conveniently access your favorite online entertainment wirelessly by attaching the included Wi-Fi adapter.

Amazon Sales Rank: #67311 in Home Theater Color: Black Brand: Sony Model: KDL-32EX308 Released on: 2010-02-24 Dimensions: 19.60" h x 3.90" w x 31.50" l, 21.00 pounds Display size: 32 HD 720p Resolution BRAVIA Internet Video Wi-Fi Adapter ready (adapter included) BRAVIA Engine 3 fully digital video processor USB port for photo, music & video playback

Amazon Instant Video Watch Amazon Instant Video on This DeviceChoose from over 90,000 movies and TV shows, with thousands available in HDPurchase or rent the latest new release movies and TV showsStart a one-month free trial of Amazon Prime and get unlimited, commercial-free, instant streaming of more than 5,000 movies and TV showsBegin watching instantly - no waiting for a downloadPause, fast-forward, rewind, or watch it over again - just like a DVD

Most helpful customer reviews 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Sony Bravia EX308: Great Product By J.F. Rizzo I've been using this TV for 2-3 weeks now and can review it simply: great performance, terrific value. I do wish it was 1080p but that's only for the relatively remote possibility that I want to hook up a computer and have a lot of resolution; otherwise the picture @ 720p is clean, sharp, and crisp with vibrant colors regardless of the input. Needless to say, if your source is low quality, no TV will make it high quality. The Internet and local network features work seamlessly and personally I love being able to watch streaming movies from Netflix and selected content from YouTube; the audio selections from Pandora and Slacker are good as well. Setting up a DLNA server on your PC to view photos, listen to your own song collection, etc is very easy with Windows Media Player but you might have to dig around a little bit for documentation if this is not familiar turf for you. So far I have not had any luck with viewing my own videos but have not explored solutions carefully since it doesn't matter much to me. Sony could enhance the media server interface a bit to provide better navigation in your personal media collection but what's there gets the job done. The WiFi connectivity works (almost) perfectly; the single problem I have is streaming HD movies from Netflix, which will pause from time to time. However, this is not Sony's issue; if you live in a large home or one with other RF interference issues you might have some problems with content needing a ton of bandwidth. The best thing to do is run an Ethernet cable from your router directly into the TV; second best is to use some kind of signal booster, repeater, expander. Most people will not experience this problem if they have a strong broadband connection and live in a typically sized home. The sound quality of the built-in speakers is ok but I recommend using externals like the Bose Companion II speakers for high-quality sound. Obviously there are a lot of options on this but for typical 32" placement I find the Bose speakers at $100 to be more than adequate for any source material. Bottom line: if you want a 32" television with internet connectivity this one is hard to beat on price/performance and ease of setup and use. If you don't care about 'net connectivity or are going to go with Google TV or Apple TV AND 1080p really matters to you then you might want to look at another unit. 16 of 19 people found the following review helpful. EXCELLENT choice in HDTV By Z. Xu I got one of these for my bedroom the other day, it has this new WI-FI feature that let's you use the new SONY interface to access a whole bunch of useful websites to download video and music and contents to watch on this TV.. I did my research, read reviews and I am IMPRESSED by this TV's performance from pretty much every aspect. At 32", the 720p vs. 1080p doesn't even matter! this 2010 model has the newest processor and newest technology added in... Definitely a BUY! In fact, I might get one more for my parents' house. 17 of 21 people found the following review helpful. Amazing set for the money. By Andrew This is the sweet spot this year for Sony's 32" size. Bravia engine 3, wireless connectivity for Bravia video streaming (Netflix, amazon, etc) w/ included wireless dongle. All for sub $500. Some may not like that it is a 720p set, but unless you are using it as a computer monitor you'd NEVER notice the difference between that and 1080p. The menu system and options have been flushed out nicely to avoid shortcomings from the past few years. The set can remove the overscan with the +1 Screen setting for both 1080i and 720p signals. Previous sets only did 1080i. A very nice feature. Don't pay much attention to the above reviewer, they have some other problem. I have this set hooked up to Time Warner Cable with absolutely no issues. I have a whole house video system and it is

Thursday, October 27, 2011

LG 47LD650 47-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV, Black

There's nothing more exciting in entertainment than broadband TV and the LD650 with NetCast makes you a part of it. Beyond instant access to movies, shows and info direct from the Internet, the LD650 gives you gives you the freedom of Wireless HD capabilities, along with other smart LG technologies and features that will boost your enjoyment.

Amazon Sales Rank: #50747 in Consumer Electronics Color: Black Brand: LG Model: 47LD650 Dimensions: 26.90" h x 44.70" w x 3.00" l, 40.30 pounds Display size: 47 NetCast Entertainment Access (Wi-Fi Ready) Wireless 1080p Ready TruMotion 240Hz Full HD 1080p Resolution 200,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio

This HDTV is Internet-ready. To view Internet apps on this TV, you may also need: Broadband Internet service A router Cabling A Wi-Fi adapter (if there is not one built in) A PC for subscriptions or payments To learn more about Internet-ready HDTVs, visit Internet-Ready TV 101. Great for sports and fast action, the 47-inch LG 47LD650 LCD HDTV offers 1080p Full HD resolution for crystal-clear detail, TruMotion 240Hz technology for virtually no motion blur, and a super-quick response time of 2ms (milliseconds). With LG's NetCast, you get access to TV shows, movies and more, streamed directly from the Internet to your television screen. And the LD550 series also provides compatibility with Wireless 1080p Connectivity (wireless media kit required and sold separately). Other features include an amazing 200,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for more stunning colors and deeper blacks, two USB ports for connecting external drives for playing back MP3 audio, JPEG photo and DivX HD video files, stereo speakers with 20 watts of power and Dolby Digital decoding, and four HDMI inputs. NetCast Entertainment Access NetCast Entertainment Access brings the best Internet services direct to your TV--no computer required. Instantly access movies and TV shows, news and weather and the world's largest library of HD movies in 1080p. (Note: Internet connection & subscriptions required and sold separately.) Get your HD film fix If you like movies and want major studio releases in Full HD 1080p and Dolby Digital Plus sound, you'll love Vudu, the on-demand movie service with more hi-def titles than anyone else. Over 3,000 and counting. Plus, there's no subscription. So you only pay for what you watch. Access your queue from the couch Make the most of the extensive offerings on Netflix. Now you can watch your favorite movies and shows--from new releases to classics to everything in between--without your PC. Sit back and enjoy unlimited instant access to thousands of movies and TV episodes streamed directly to your TV set. It's YouTube on your tube No more crowding around your PC to watch web videos. NetCast instantly streams videos and TV shows from YouTube for unlimited, direct access to the millions of Web videos whenever you want them. All you need is an active Internet connection. Watch that one fellow making a fool of himself over and over again. Stay up to speed Sometimes you want to see what's going on in the world, but without changing the channel. Yahoo! TV Widgets delivers everything you need including news, scores, stocks and even photos from Flickr. Your pictures on the big screen Re-live all your family vacation memories with your Picasa photos on the big screen for everyone to enjoy, create galleries and slideshows for easy organization. Key Features Full HD 1080p resolution This stunning picture is the reason you wanted HDTV in the first place. With almost double the pixel resolution, Full HD 1080p gives it superior picture quality over standard HDTV. You'll see details and colors like never before. TruMotion 240Hz See sports, video games and high-speed action with virtually no motion blur and in crystal clarity with LG's TruMotion 240Hz technology. Now your TV can keep up with the fastest moving scenes. 200,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio No more worrying about dark scenes or dull colors. The dynamic contrast ratio of 200,000:1 delivers more stunning colors and deeper blacks than you can imagine. Intelligent Sensor Don't strain your eyes. Let your TV do the adjustments for you. Intelligent Sensor automatically optimizes the picture to the lighting and color conditions in the room for a more enjoyable viewing experience. Wireless 1080p Ready The best place for your TV isn't always near the cable. Wireless 1080p Connectivity lets you cut loose from messy wires, hang your TV where you want and still get a stunning Full HD picture. All those cords and cables are completely out of sight. And the only thing attached to your TV is you. (Note: Wireless media kit required and sold separately.) AV Mode Sports, movies and video games are best enjoyed with customized settings. With AV Mode, you can easily select from one of three picture modes for "Cinema", Sports" or "Games" to enjoy an optimized picture and sound experience. Picture Wizard Get easy self-calibration with on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. Take the guesswork out of picture adjustments with this simple-to-use feature. It's not actually magic, but it will sure seem that way. 24P Real Cinema Stay in for the theater. Enjoy a true cinema-like experience in your own home with movies the way they are meant to be seen. LG's Real Cinema technology precisely displays 24p source frames on your screen, the same as on a movie screen. If you love movies, you'll love Real Cinema. ISFccc Calibration Ready LG's ISFccc Ready HDTVs contain the detailed standards necessary for professional calibration of brightness, contrast, tint, sharpness, color levels and much more to meet local lighting conditions for both day and nighttime viewing. Settings are added to preset modes for easy access from your LG remote. Clear Voice II Get audio the way it was meant to be heard. Clear Voice II enhances and amplifies the frequency range of the human voice to help keep dialogue audible when background noise swells. Infinite Sound What's a great picture without great sounds to match? Infinite Sound delivers an amazing listening experience with deep, rich bass to make the most of your entertainment. Dolby Digital Dolby Digital lets you experience compelling 5.1-channel surround sound. And you can trust that you'll get the same great Dolby Digital audio quality no matter what you're watching--a DVD or Blu-Ray Disc, TV programming or downloaded content. Best of all, you can be confident that you'll hear the audio exactly as it was intended, because Dolby Digital is also used to create the soundtracks for movies and games. USB 2.0 Now reliving that fantastic family vacation can happen in the comfort of your living room. Easily connect your external USB devices to enjoy JPEG photos or listen to MP3 files. This HDTV is also compatible with playing back DivX HD video files from a USB drive. HDMI V.1.3 with Deep Color Make installation of any enabled device a snap. Get 10.2Gbps of bandwidth for deeper colors and more to take advantage of the best Full HD experience. HDMI V.1.3 connectivity lets you prepare yourself for tomorrow's technology today. SimpLink Having a hard time keeping track of your remotes? With SimpLink, all your LG devices can be controlled with just one remote. Smart Energy Saving With LG's Smart Energy Saving Features, you can conserve money and energy. Key Specifications Screen size: 47-inch class (47 inches diagonal) Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p Full HD) Dynamic contrast ratio: 200,000:1 Viewing angle: 178 degrees horizontal/vertical Response time: 2ms Built-in tuner: ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM Audio output: 20 watts (10W x 2) Speaker system: 2-way, 4 speakers Dolby Digital decoder: Yes Surround system: Infinite Sound Input labeling: Yes Swivel stand: ±20 degrees VESA compliance: 200mm x 200mm Warranty: 1 year parts and labor Connections HDMI (version 1.3, HDCP): 3 rear, 1 side Component: 2 rear Composite A/V: 1 rear, 1 side RF: 1 rear PC input (15-pin, D-Sub): 1 rear PC audio input: 1 rear Digital audio output: 1 optical, rear USB: 2 side Ethernet LAN: 1 rear Headphone out: 1 side RS-232c input: 1 rear Dimensions TV without stand: 44.8 x 27 x 3.0 inches (WxHxD); 40.3 pounds TV with stand: 44.8 x 29.8 x 9.8 inches (WxHxD); 44.8 pounds What size TV should you get? LG 2010 HDTV Comparison Series: LD350 LD450 LD520 LD550 LD650 LE5300 LE5400 LE8500 LX6500 PJ350 PK550 PK750 Models: 22-inch 26-inch 32-inch 32-inch 37-inch 42-inch 47-inch 32-inch 42-inch 47-inch 55-inch 32-inch 42-inch 46-inch 52-inch 47-inch 55-inch 22-inch 26-inch 32-inch 37-inch 32-inch 42-inch 47-inch 55-inch 47-inch 55-inch 47-inch 55-inch 42-inch 50-inch 50-inch 60-inch 50-inch 60-inch Panel type LCD LCD LCD LCD LCD LED LCD LED LCD LED LCD 3D LED Plasma Plasma Plasma LED Local Dimming -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3D Ready -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Resolution 720p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 1080p 720p 1080p 1080p Contrast ratio 50k:1dynamic 100k:1dynamic 100k:1dynamic 150k:1dynamic 200k:1dynamic 3mil:1dynamic 4mil:1dynamic 9mil:1dynamic 8mil:1dynamic 3mil:1dynamic 3mil:1dynamic 3mil:1dynamic Refresh rate 60Hz 60Hz 120Hz 120Hz 240Hz 60Hz 120Hz 120Hz 240Hz 600Hz 600Hz 600Hz Response time 5ms 4ms 2.4 2.4 2 2.4ms 2.6ms 1ms 2ms -- -- -- Netcast Entertainment -- -- -- -- -- -- HDMI input 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 Component input(Y, PB, PR) 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 Composite input 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 PC input USB port 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 MP3 and JPEGplayback -- DivX videoplayback -- -- -- -- -- Ethernet -- -- -- -- -- -- Wireless 1080p Ready -- -- -- -- -- -- Energy Star -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Series: LD350 LCD LD450 LCD LD520 LCD LD550 LCD LD650 LCD LE5300 LED LE5400 LED LE8500 LED LX65003D LED PJ350 Plasma PK550 Plasma PK750 Plasma Learn More Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room? With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get. Minimum size = Viewing distance/3 Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

Most helpful customer reviews 53 of 56 people found the following review helpful. Thought about an LED LCD? Think again.... By vlade86 Looked at TVs for 3 months before making a decision after my 42" Panasonic Plasma died with a maximum of $1500 to spend. My first idea was to buy a Plasma again but I think it died due to how hot my room would get because of it, then I moved on to the LED TVs and wasnt impressed with the picture quality when I compared it to these 3 TVs. I dont want to write a few thousand words so I am basically going to put this in a real simple explanation. If your considering buying an LED LCD please go look at this TV or Samsungs LN650 or Sony HX701 I guarantee it will make you think twice about purchasing an LED TV based on the picture quality. So why did I purchase this over Samsungs LN650 and Sony HX701? Well it has a higher contrast ratio (Same as Sony), the response time is 2ms (Samsungs LCD & LEDS are 4ms couldnt find Sonys), it has a 240hz refresh rate (Sony has 240hz, Samsung 120hz) THE MAIN PROBLEM WHICH I READ ABOUT IS THE AUDIO/VISUAL LAG via HDMI connection in both the Sony and Samsung TV. I have had NO PROBLEMS AT ALL and YES I DO RUN THE TV THROUGH A RECEIVER! (ONKYO HTR557) Ive watched HD, SD, DVD, and played Xbox360 with no audio/visual lag! I did notice this problem on the Samsung in 1 store. Also the Sony Model is a Canadian Model which you will only find at Costco in the US. CONCLUSION: One thing that bothered me was that I couldnt find much information about this TV online but usually people will be quick to speak up when something is wrong with a product. The main thing I can say is the picture quality on all 3 TVs are great in this order 1)LG 2)Sony 3) Samsung. I cant comment on the sound because I use a surround sound. I have no had any problems with uneven back lighting, clouding, or audio/ visual lag. The only pain about this TV is mounting it because LG expects you to purchase a VESA wall mount. In other words the screws that usually screwed into the back of a TV to mount it to a wall are not included. I did find out that it is an M6 screw in the manual but it doesnt say the length. I recommend a 1/2inch M6 screw just to be on the safe side. Hope this review helped! 08/16/10 A little update....so far the TV have been worth every penny spent. Been watching a lot of DVD's and HD & SD content, playing Xbox360 and watching netflix. Unfortunately I havent experimented with the netflix on the actual TV because my router has no more ports for the TV :( but I do play netflix through my Xbox and it does look great 98% of the time. Im having a hard time getting a good picture watching sports though but I figure it needs some adjustments to get it just how I want it *might just me being to picky* Everything else looks great. The Picture Wizard adjuster is pretty good and will give you the results you want...its not a professional calibration but it does what its supposed to do. The intelligent sensor option tends to always make the picture very dark so thats a downer but who really cares for something thats going to consistently adjust your picture due to how lit the room is. So other then what I wrote before about the manual not including or mentioning what kind of screws to use to mount this TV to the wall mount...I would say get a full motion wall mount because the viewing angles can be a little tough to get used too coming from watching a plasma TV. 09/28/10 Well nothing new. This TV works like a charm in every aspect. I recently re-modeled my house and had to take everything down except my TV but I did have to take down the surround sound so I had to use the TV's speakers...I gotta say the speakers in this TV can get very loud and stay completely distortion free. I bought the LG Wifi Dongle to access the widgets but it seemed that after the update it wont even load it...im sure its some sure its an easy fix but I havent gotten around to it as its not that big of a deal to me.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Sony TDM-NC1 Digital Media Port Wireless Network Audio Adapter

Sony Media Port Wireless Network Audio Adapter

Amazon Sales Rank: #97919 in Consumer Electronics Color: Black Brand: Sony Model: TDMNC1 Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 3.00" h x 3.00" w x 3.00" l, .66 pounds Connects with compatible Sony home theater systems and receivers with digital media port input Streams audio from PC through home Wi-Fi network On-screen display feature to search songs on monitor Compatible with iTunes, Windows Media Player, and CONNECT Compact 3" shape

Most helpful customer reviews 17 of 17 people found the following review helpful. Had to send it back By George Rabatin The hardware looks great. Config from the unit itself (getting it on the network both wired and wireless) worked like a charm. The included software is junk. I installed it on both Vista and XP machines. After spending hours playing with it trying to get it to import my music, firewall settings etc. etc, I could never get the hardware to connect to my server. I hooked the PC to the same switch as the TD-NC1 and it still would not connect the server. The included manual / troubleshooting guide is also a joke/junk. You should be able to install the software and it should just work. I thought I'd be playing music in a few minutes -- instead I invested an afternoon --> and it still isn't working. I am returning this unit and will use an airport express/i-tunes to do the same thing. 11 of 12 people found the following review helpful. Very good idea but... By Jose Paez As with almost anything with Sony lately, software just SUCKS! and it's very expensive for what you get. It's a shame Sony can't pay for good software designers that should complement their products and as stated in other reviews of Sony products owned and reviewed by me, they just don't listen! Sony, can you please? - Add Video Support, no just audio. - Fire your software designers and hire new ones capable of designing good software and make it available for people like me that bought this very expensive and good very good looking electronic paper weight? As on the title, this is a very good idea which just does not works! just like the listening aid devices Sony people use that acts more like a noise cancellation buddies... If you're like me, you'll probably buy it even when reading all this reviews... believe me, i did exactly that but, until Sony update it's crappy software my only advice to you is just don't waste your money with this.... PP 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Not as cool as it looks By D. C. Hand I bought this so i could stream my iTunes to my entertainment system, while i work during the day. My Sony home theatre has a DigitalMedia Port, so it all seemed like the perfect fit. Here are the problems: - Its tiny! Too small to read the display from my sofa 5ft away. Plus the display is not bright enough, and there is no brightness control. - Does not work when my laptop has the Cisco VPN service running. I use VPN's all day for work, so this means i couldn't use this product while working. - Doesn't work with iTunes despite what the website claims. Sure, it can find your songs in the iTunes directory, but you have to install a clunky Sony M-server software to manage your music (eg. create your playlists over again)... and i hate having to do things twice. I thought it would let iTunes stream to it, like you can do with appleTV or Apple airPort. But that is not the case... it DOESN'T work WITH iTunes (just alongside it). - Wireless was not stable. Seems like my internet connectivity dropped out anytime i tried to have it connect to my router. Big pain. Spent 2 days trying to make it all work together. - Not good support from the Sony support team. The regular support people don't know anything about it (since its mostly WiFi problems), and will refer you to the special team for it... but they only work in the mornings Eastern Time, which is not really convenient when UPS bring it to you on a Pacific Time afternoon. I returned this item, and have since bought an appleTV, which is super easy to setup, and much nicer display (actually displays on your TV screen). Plus the apple TV can also cache music, movies etc, so i don't have to worry about VPN problems. Don't but this... get an appleTV instead. Or maybe even the iPod dock for the Sony DMP... might work better than trying to stream from your laptop. See all 11 customer reviews...

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Sony STR-DN1010 7.1-Channel A/V Blu-Ray Receiver [3D Compatible]

Take your high-definition surround sound experience to the next level with the STR-DN1010 7.1-channel Blu-ray Disc A/V receiver. Enjoy 3D images while hearing sound closer to the way it was captured, plus improve image quality of non-HD video sources to HD using one convenient cable. Offering plenty of connectivity options for your expanding lifestyle, this A/V receiver features 4 HDMI inputs, 3 component inputs and is SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready. You can also share your music in multiple rooms with wireless 2nd zone technology.

Amazon Sales Rank: #53 in Receiver or Amplifier Color: Black Brand: Sony Model: STRDN1010 Dimensions: 6.25" h x 17.00" w x 12.88" l, 18.96 pounds 7.1-channel A/V receiver with 110 watts per channel 3D HDMI pass-through 7 HD video inputs (4 HDMI, 3 component) Upconvert/Upscale from analog to 1080p via HDMI On-screen graphical user interface for ease of use

Take your high-definition surround sound experience to the next level with the STR-DN1010 7.1-channel Blu-ray Disc A/V receiver. Enjoy 3D images while hearing sound closer to the way it was captured, plus improve image quality of non-HD video sources to HD using one convenient cable. Offering plenty of connectivity options for your expanding lifestyle, this A/V receiver features 4 HDMI inputs, 3 component inputs and is SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready. You can also share your music in multiple rooms with wireless 2nd zone S-AIR technology. 7 High-Definition Inputs with Audio Return Channel Get versatile HD connection options with five HD inputs. Four HDMI inputs (up to 1080/24p capable) let you connect a Sony PlayStation 3 entertainment system, Blu-ray Disc player, or any other HDMI-capable devices, for high definition video and audio. Three component inputs (1080/60i capable) provide added HD-capable connectivity and versatility. S-AIR ready to deliver room filling sound without the wires or hassle Audio Return Channel eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your TV. This feature allows audio to be sent from your compatible TV to your receiver through the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to your TV. 24p True Cinema Mode with Blu-ray Audio Decoding (LPCM) Watch movies at their native frame rate 24p format (24 frames per second) when paired with a 24p playback device like a Blu-ray Disc Player or PlayStation 3 gaming console. And with Linear PCM support, when you connect via HDMI a Blu-ray Disc player that can decode the latest high definition audio formats, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio5 you can experience sound closer to the way it was captured. HDMI Repeater with Pass-Through Connect multiple devices via HDMI to your surround sound system, easily switch between them, and then connect everything to your HDTV with just one HDMI cable. Standby pass-through of audio and video conveniently access all your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver. Get versatile HD connection with five HD inputs. Enlarge S-AIR Wireless Surround Sound and Multi-Room Ready The STR-DN1010 is S-AIR Wireless surround sound ready--share music in up to 10 rooms when you add S-AIR receiver/speaker systems (AIR-SA10) and a S-AIR Card (EZW-T100) to your S-AIR-capable receiver (each S-AIR Speaker System sold separately). Enable the system to deliver room-filling surround sound without the hassle of custom installation or running speaker wires across the room. It's the simplest way to break music free from your home theater room, to send it all over the house. DIGITAL MEDIA PORT The demand for digital audio and video content continues to be strong. Sony's DIGITAL MEDIA PORT (DMP) interface is a proprietary interface that adds networking and connectivity options to your home theater system. Just connect optional accessories (sold separately) which provide the ability to control and power devices while making set up easy and operation simple to use. The DMP will be compatible with various accessories which will include a PC Client ready device, Bluetooth adapter and Audio Docking stations compatible with select Network Walkman and iPod products. Regardless of where you store your music. BRAVIA Sync Compatible Conveniently operate and control other BRAVIA Sync compatible devices--including BRAVIA HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players, surround sound systems, Handycam camcorders and Cyber-shot digital still cameras, all with one remote control. Digital Cinema Auto Calibration Ensure you get the best sound experience from your surround sound system with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration. Simply place the included microphone where you will be seated and settings are automatically optimized based on the distance, delays and placement of your speakers. Technical Specifications Display: 10 digit dot matrix GUI: Yes (Simple) GUI Blending (Composite/Component/HDMI): Yes(-/-/Yes) Panel: BD Matching Design A/V In/Out (S-Video I/O): Including Front AV: 4/1(0/0) Analog Audio In (Inc TV CEC)/Out (excl. tuner)/TV(CEC): 2/1/Yes Coaxial: 1/0 Component Video In/Out (Pass through): 3/1 DMPORT: 1 Digital Input Assign: Yes Front Input: AV(Gold) HDMI In/Out: (Front input): 4/1 Monitor Out (S-Video Out): 1(0) Opt. In/Out/TV(CEC): incl Front input & TV (CEC): 3/0/Yes Pre Out: SW x1 SPDIF UPDATE: Yes Receiver Dimension (WxHxD): 17" x 6-1/4" x 12-7/8" Receiver Weight: 19 lb

Most helpful customer reviews 48 of 50 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful Sound, Excellent Picture, Terrible Operational Manual (4.25 stars) By Joshua Adair Introduction: So, I finally found myself in a position to upgrade my home audio. For many years I used and rather enjoyed my 5 dic DVD changing home theater in a box (Sony DAV-HDX500/i BRAVIA Home Theater System) but still didn't feel like I was getting the full audio experience out of my movies and music. Since I recently purchased a new 3D TV Samsung UN55C7000 55-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV (Black) and I already had a PlayStation 3 160 GB I figured my best option was to find an A/V receiver that would make the most of the 3D Blu-Ray functionality of the PS3 and the Samsung UN55C7000. After much research, and slowly piecing together a 7.1 collection of quality speakers, I decided to take a gamble and purchase the Sony STR-DN1010. Initial Setup: When the STR-DN1010 arrived via UPS I was excited. Upon unboxing, I immediately noticed the sleek and contemporary design and was pleased that it went so well with the decor in the family room. Having already run the speaker wires all I needed to do was; connect the wires to the appropriate receiver ports; connect the PS3, DVR/cable box, and TV; and plug the receiver's power in. I open the user manual and it takes you through the usual inital setup steps I previously accomplished, so I flip to the speaker calibration section. Included in the box is a Auto-Calibration microphone which works surprisingly well. All I needed to do was plug it into the front of the receiver and follow the steps in the manual. This is where it gets a little complicated. I wanted to manually adjust my speaker but was having trouble navigating the on-screen GUI (graphical user interface). Response from the GUI had slight latency issues (as in it wasn't a 1:1 response from the remote commands). The manual seems to be made for above average tech consumer but I managed to figured most of it out and everything worked flawlessly. Audio and Video Performance: After everything was tweaked to my liking I first tested the audio performance from the cable box. Sound was great for the most part but after cycling through the numerous sound modes I noticed that in Sports mode audio sounds like someone speaking into a plastic tube, this was a minor complaint. Sports in general look and sound phenominal. Next I tested Blu-Ray performance via the PS3. I checked the audio quality using The Matrix Blu-Ray on the scene where Neo and Trinity break into the building where the agents have Morpheus held captive. From the booming shotgun fire to the loud thud of guards getting kicked to the high twinkling of expended shells hitting the floor, I was in awe of the clarity of sound not to mention the crisp quality of video. Next I checked out the 3D video quality of Despicable Me 3D. Absolute perfection I couldnt find a thing to complain about here. Since I had a Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock from my previous home theater in a box I connected it to the receiver and plopped my ipod onto it to test my digital audio collection. Since I like The Roots (hip hop band) and they use live instrumentation in most of their music, I decided to use the album "How I Got Over" as my test material. Bass guitars sounded smooth and organic, percussion was precise and thumping, and vocal sounded live. Basically it all sounded like I was right in the studio with the artists. Great reproduction from the receiver, once again no real complaints here. Conclusion: In closing, this A/V receiever was everything I was looking for. I purchased an open box item here on Amazon so I only paid a little over $300 USD for it with free super saver shipping. Considering the price and performance I got this receiver, I feel like I got a hell of a deal. As far as gripes and complaints they're minor. The plastic speaker terminals used to connect the speaker wires to the receiver are a

Monday, October 24, 2011

Sony BRAVIA W-Series KDL-40W5100 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Enjoy the latest in HDTV performance with the Sony BRAVIA W-Series. Experience Sony's motion detail and clarity with MotionflowTM 120Hz technology. Features built-in BRAVIA Internet Video capabilities so you can access and stream on-demand movies, TV shows. You can also personalize your viewing experience with widgets containing the latest news, weather and stock information. MotionflowTM 120Hz technology Engineered for fast-action sports, movies and games, Motionflow 120Hz technology reduces blurriness and judder. Overall, motion is smoother, sharper, and more natural when watching your favorite HD content, DVDs, and even broadcast movies and prime-time programming. BRAVIATM Internet Video3 With BRAVIA Internet Video you can enjoy select premium and free on-demand entertainment directly to your HDTV. Use your in-home broadband connection and the BRAVIA HDTV remote control to access online video, music, and more content from over 20 providers including Amazon Video On Demand, YouTubeTM, Sports Illustrated, Sony Pictures, Sony Music, Slacker and Epicurious's website. BRAVIA Internet Widgets Personalize your viewing experience by selecting, positioning, and resizing widgets on your BRAVIA HDTV display. BRAVIA Internet Widgets are small applications that can be accessed with the touch of one button providing you with the latest in news, weather, stock info, and much more right on your BRAVIA W-Series HDTV. BRAVIA EngineTM 3 fully digital video processor BRAVIA Engine 3 is the newest fully digital video processor from Sony. It uses a collection of enhanced algorithms to significantly reduce noise, enhance overall image detail, and optimize contrast so every scene produces sharp, vibrant, life-like images.

Amazon Sales Rank: #40900 in Consumer Electronics Color: Black Brand: Sony Model: KDL40W5100 Released on: 2009-05-24 Dimensions: 25.63" h x 12.00" w x 37.75" l, 42.10 pounds Display size: 40 A 40-inch, 16:9 Full HD 1080p Resolution Panel provides optimum resolution from any HDTV source that delivers 1080p content Motionflow 120Hz technology reduces judder and sharpens fast-moving images for a crisp, more natural picture The built-in BRAVIA Internet Video feature allows you to access select on-demand entertainment available through your broadband connection Select and personalize your entertainment experience with widgets on your BRAVIA HDTV Includes USB input that lets you view photos on the big screen, listen to your favorite MP3s or watch video clips

Most helpful customer reviews 22 of 23 people found the following review helpful. It's about time By Gup I have been waiting for quite some time to buy a new tv. Originally I planned on getting the 40" Z series last year. But when the new models came out this year, the 40" W series offered everything I was looking for a little bit cheaper price. It has a good looking profile and was a snap to set-up. I used the Cheetah tilting mount that I also purchased from amazon. Don't let anyone fool you. The Cheetah mount is just as good or better than the expensive mounts. I already had a ps3 so the XMB menu system was very familiar. This is a great tv for the money. The only con I can think of is that the remote doesn't have a 1 button sleep timer. You have to go through the menus. BTW: Amazon did a great job. I order TV on a Thursday and the following Wednesday the tv was hanging on my wall. Nice Service. 13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. Amazing set of features, clarity and even this non-sport fan needed these capabilities By Chandler I spend weeks researching before I make a major purchase. It is my own way of always avoiding any buyer's remorse. And I certainly will never experience buyer's remorse with this purchase. W series means less blur: First I should note that while it may seem the tv is geared towards the sports fan market due to it's excellent ability to show fast action with less blur than many other tvs of it's class, I can wholeheartedly say I am not that target market. However, the same features that make this an excellent tv to capture the sudden moves of your favorite team with accuracy also carry over into a great picture during gaming or doing an aerobic routine on the fitness channel. And that I do. The 120Hz processing also enables additional improved motion resolution. Color: Deep shades of black, accurate color, excellent picture quality even compared to a tv we have that's far more expensive. Gadgets: This tv features Sony's new "interactivity suite" typically seen on it's far more expensive models. This means you get Yahoo widgets, which is content from the internet, downloaded and activated directly from the tv screen. Yes, that means you can watch tv and twitter or get the weather or your finance info or the news while you watch tv on the side of the screen, for example. Information overload in a good way. You can move these widgets around your screen and place them where you wish, if you want to use them at all. The Net and TV Combined: Nothing on tv? You also have internet channels (which I tried to list in my review but Amazon deleted due to considering them "links") available on the tv. High def video enabled: Aditionally, this tv comes with an internet video link built in to the tv (many others I looked at enabled you to add a box for a couple hundred dollars in order to get this.) This means you can get high def videos on demand from places such as Amazon Video On Demand. Modes: In order to get the best experience no matter what you are doing on the tv it comes with presets such as "cinema, game, pc, and sports" to automatically enable best viewing presets for what is on the screen and eliminate delays in gaming, etc. Looks: Sleek and sharp. The frame is 1.5" from the edge of the picture to the edge of the tv at top and sices with a slightly wider frame at the bottom (much like how you'd frame a photograph in a matt) Digital Media Accessibility: Use the photo, music, and video category icons to access photo, music, and video files from DLNA certified networked equipment or Sony USB equipment. If you are showing your slideshow of a recent vacation, the tv also enables you to add music to the slideshow by selecting "slideshow music" and "browse music". Your own screen saver: Background tv uses the current video on your tv to create images that are similar to a screen saver. Watching an underwater show and want your screen to look like a fishtank when you are having a party? Tune to

Sunday, October 23, 2011

NETGEAR Powerline AV Adapter with Ethernet Switch

Perfect for connecting HDTVs, Blu-ray players, DVRs, and game consoles to your home network and the Internet; Extends a high speed Internet connection to any power outlet1; Provides wired reliability with no new wires; Connects up to 4 devices

Color: Black Brand: Netgear Model: XAV1004 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 8.94" h x 3.27" w x 7.99" l, .48 pounds Perfect for connecting HDTVs, Blu-ray players, DVRs, and game consoles to your home network and the Internet Extends a high speed Internet connection to any power outlet1 Provides wired reliability with no new wires Connects up to 4 devices

From the Manufacturer Turn any of your home's electrical outlets into a high-speed network connection with the NETGEAR XAV1004 Home Theater Internet AV Adapter. With the ability to connect up to four devices without running new wires or making costly renovations, this adapter is the ideal solution for securely connecting your XBox or Playstation, computers, TiVos, and more to your home network and the Internet. Note: This adapter must be used with either a NETGEAR Powerline XAV101 AV Ethernet Adapter or the NETGEAR XAVB1004 Home Theater Internet Connection Kit (both sold separately). Turn any electrical outlet into a high-speed network connection for up to 4 devices. View larger.   The NETGEARTM XAV1004 Home Theater Internet AV Adapter: Turns any electrical outlet into a high-speed home network connection for up to 4 devices. Supports speeds up to 200 Mbps. For use with the NETGEAR XAV101 AV Ethernet Adapter or XAVB1004 Home Theater Internet Connection Kit.   Turn Your Electrical System into a Secure, High-Speed Network When used with the NETGEARTM Powerline XAV101 AV Ethernet Adapter or the NETGEAR XAVB1004 Home Theater Internet Connection Kit, the XAV1004 AV Adapter can turn any electrical outlet in your home into a secure, high-speed, entertainment-grade network connection. With this adapter, you can say goodbye to the days of drilling holes in your walls and running cable through your house so you can connect to the Internet. The XAV1004 AV Adapter includes four Ethernet ports, letting you connect up to four devices -- such as laptops, network attached storage devices, DVRs, media streamers, Blu-Ray DVD players, or game consoles -- to your network via a single electrical outlet. Port-Based Quality of Service (QOS) Prioritizes your Bandwidth Usage Because the unit features port-based Quality of Service (QoS), you can decide which devices receive bandwidth priority, ensuring that the performance of your highest priority device is not impeded by any spikes in your bandwidth demand. This means that if you've prioritized your Xbox 360 or other game console and you're in the middle of an online game, you won't be interrupted or delayed by another user on your network trying to download a video or access the Internet. The system will automatically regulate bandwidth use, prioritizing the Xbox network traffic over other traffic on the same network. Supports Speeds up to 200 Mbps The XAV1004 AV Adapter supports speeds up to 200 Mbps, enough for streaming high-definition video and MP3s, transferring large files, making Internet calls, and more. And to help you get the fastest speed out of your connections, NETGEAR Pick-a-Plug technology provides red, yellow and green status LEDs that indicate the signal strength and speed through your house so you can find the best outlets to use. Perfect for Xbox, Playstation, TiVo, ReadyNAS and More Perfect for creating a connectivity hub by your home theater, by placing the XAV1004 AV Adapter near your television, you can easily connect your Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 to your network, giving you the high-speed connection you need. The adapter can also connect other media devices, such as your TiVo, AppleTV, Slingbox, DVR, BD Live-enabled Blu-Ray player, Ethernet-enabled TV, and more. By connecting a network attached storage device, such as the ReadyNAS Duo, to the adapter, you can give anyone in your home direct access to the media and other files stored on the device. No drilling. No mess. No wires. Creating a high-speed and secure home network couldn't be any easier. The XAV1004 Adapter with Ethernet Switch measures 5.40 x 4.01 x 1.10 inches and is supported by a NETGEAR 1-year warranty. What's in the Box One Powerline AV Adapter with Ethernet Switch (XAV1004). View "Powerline in a Nutshell" Video Port-based Quality of Service prioritizes your bandwidth usage. View larger. Related NETGEAR Products to Enhance Your Home Theater Internet AV Adapter Experience NETGEAR Home Theater Internet Connection Kit (XAVB1004) Kit converts your home wiring into entertainment-grade, high-speed network Converts standard electrical outlets into high-speed network connections Turns outlet into connection for up to 4 devices Perfect for connecting HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and game consoles to your home network   NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Elite HD (EVA9150) Plays your digital media from your computer or NAS to your HDTV Streams Internet content, such as YouTube, directly to your HDTV 500 GB hard drive for extra storage of music, photos and video NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Live (EVA2000) Plays your digital media collection directly to your TV Streams Internet video, such as YouTube, Netflix and Hulu, on your TV For use with analog and high-definition TVs   NETGEAR Rangemax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNDR3700) Top-of-the line router, ideal for serious gamers, videophiles, and small businesses demanding high performance Dual-band Wireless-N operates simultaneously on 2.4 and 5.0 GHz frequencies for highest throughput speed and performance 600 Mbps speed, with real throughput of over 350 Mbps Push 'N' Connect feature for easy setup NETGEAR Wireless-N Router (WNR2000) Wireless-N performance for ultra-fast speed and performance Ideal for streaming videos and other high-bandwidth multi-media files Backwards compatible with older Wireless-G devices Push 'N' Connect for easy set-up process   NETGEAR ReadyNAS Duo 2-Bay 1TB (1 x 1000GB) Award-winning network attached server streams music, photos and video to network media players without a computer 1 TB of storage with GigaBit Ethernet for fast data transfer Allows multiple users share files simultaneously NETGEAR-exclusive X-RAID technology keeps your digital media and files protected

Most helpful customer reviews 10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. Quick, easy and fast as advertised. By Paul MCRAE I picked up one of these along with the V101 in a combo package to run my Xbox 360 and DirecTV DVR downstairs from the cable modem and router in my upstairs office. I had been using wireless networking for the past several years but had issues with wireless failing from time to time and went through 3 routers over 3 years accordingly. Since the wired portion of the routers worked just fine at retirement in each case, I thought I'd give an alternative a try. I researched a few different brands and finally settled on Netgear's Powerline offering. I specifically went with the ones rated for 200Mb for HD streaming options. I am very satisfied with the performance so far. The Windows Media Center functionality with my Xbox 360 is finally performing in a manner that I expected. With wireless I was getting VERY slow response in the Media Center menu but it operates much more smoothly with the Powerline adapter connected. I ordered an additional adapter for a computer and DirecTV DVR in another room of my home and all 3 devices are operating well together with excellent connection speed. In addition, setup was completely simple. It was literally plug and play. No configuration required whatsoever. I would definitely suggest this product line without reservation. 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Another great Netgear Powerline Ethernet product By G. Ware I've used Netgear Powerline Ethernet products for a long time and they are great. The units are brainless to setup and work as described to extend your internet connection without the worry of wireless coverage issues. I was interested in this product as it seems like more devices connected to your TV are wanting internet connectivity. Some of my devices have wireless built in already but I would rather run them over wire for online gaming and streaming HD movies. Right now I have a PS3, Blue ray player, Dish network box, and Apple TV hooked up to my Netgear and all work great. I like the QOS for the ports so that I can place my PS3 and Apple TV at higher priority then the blue ray player and Dish Network box. The ports are color coded based on priority which makes it easy for non technical users who may purchase this. The unit seems to run cool which is nice for a TV cabinet and has power saving features as well. As the product description states, this needs to be used with another adaptor like the XAV101 powerline eithernet unit that then hooks up to your router so if you don't have one there is a similar package of this device for more money that has the adaptor included, this package just has the 4 port AV unit. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Perfect Solution By Jay Ehret We already had the powerline system running the internet throughout our home but needed multiple connections at our entertainment center. This was the perfect solution. You just plug it into the wall, and then plug your internet-ready devices into the adapter. We have a Wii and the Roku device for Netflix hooked up and the signal is great. We have been using it for about 10 days and no problems so far. See all 24 customer reviews...